The Constitution of Pax

(Written 2065 on Earth)

ARTICLE I Name
The name of this Planet and Commonwealth shall be Pax as a reminder to ourselves for all time of our aspirations.

ARTICLE II Principles and Purposes
We, the citizens of Pax, covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of all sentient beings and of the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part; justice, equity and compassion in our relations with one another; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our Commonwealth; the goal of community with hope, peace, and freedom for all. Grateful for this opportunity to create a new society in full harmony with nature, we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
We understand that we must endlessly make choices, and that all our choices have consequences, and that we are not guaranteed health, happiness, or even life. We will certainly face hardship, danger, and potential failure, but we can aspire to the use of practical wisdom to seek joy, love, beauty, community, and life.
The Commonwealth declares and affirms its special responsibility to promote the full and equal participation of all of its citizens in its activities and endeavor without regard to race, species, color, sex, disability, wealth or poverty, affectional or sexual orientation, age, national origin, or creed.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief, right to speech and justice, liberty, and the peaceful pursuit of individual aims in harmony with the welfare and interests of the Commonwealth as a whole.

ARTICLE III Citizenship
The Commonwealth of Pax is a voluntary association of the citizens of Pax. Any sentient beings who have expressed their sympathy with the spirit of our Commonwealth and are willing to share in its goals may declare themselves citizens.

ARTICLE IV Commonwealth Meetings
Commonwealth Meetings shall make overall policy for carrying out the purposes of the commonwealth and shall direct and control its affairs, and shall elect the Moderator and members of the Commonwealth Committee, and shall be the ultimate court of appeals for judicial proceedings. Any citizen regardless of age may participate and vote freely. All citizens retain the right of abstention.
A regular Commonwealth Meeting shall be held annually, and from time to time as it shall be deemed necessary by the Commonwealth Committee, with sufficient notification for all citizens regarding the agenda and time and place of meeting. The Moderator may call a meeting as necessary, or a petition of one-fourth of the citizens shall require Commonwealth Meeting to be held as soon as reasonably possible. A quorum shall be three-fourths of all citizens.

ARTICLE V Moderator
A Moderator will serve as the general director of the Commonwealth on a day to day basis. The Moderator shall also call and preside over General Assemblies and Committee meetings, and may appoint a president for either body as desired. The Moderator shall be at least 25 years old or the local equivalent, and shall be elected by a majority of Pax citizens at a Commonwealth Meeting.

ARTICLE VI Commonwealth Committee
The Committee shall conduct the affairs of the Commonwealth and, subject to this Constitution, shall carry out the Commonwealth’s policies and directives as provided by law. The Committee shall act for the Commonwealth between General Assemblies. The Committee shall consist of the Moderator and twelve members. One-half of the members of the Committee shall be elected at the annual Commonwealth Meeting held in each odd-numbered year. Members shall take office immediately after the close of the Commonwealth Meeting at or prior to which they are elected and shall serve for terms of four years or until their successors are elected and qualified.
All meetings shall be open to the all Citizens and shall be held at a time when Citizens may be able to attend. A written record shall be kept of all activities and be made available for general inspection.
Special duties for individual Committee members may be delineated and assigned by the Committee or Moderator. The Committee and Moderator may appoint special commissions and agents as shall seem necessary.
All members shall be 25 years old, or the equivalent in local measurement.
A Member may at any time resign by giving written notice to the Committee. A Member, including the Moderator, may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the entire Committee at a meeting at which not less than three-fourths of the entire Committee is present.
A vacancy created by the death, disqualification, resignation, or removal shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining Members until the next regular Commonwealth Meeting at which an election can be held. The vacancy shall then be filled by election for the balance of the unexpired term, if any.
Committee shall hold its meetings at such places as the Committee may determine. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held at such times as the Committee may determine. No fewer than three regular meetings shall be held annually.
Special meetings of the Committee may be called by the Moderator and shall be called by the Moderator at the request of eight trustees with adequate notice of the agenda, time, and place of the meeting.
A majority plus one of the entire voting membership of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

ARTICLE VII Regional Organizations
The Commonwealth shall create areas of regional responsibility as a growing population requires, in accordance with the provisions for amending this Constitution. Each regional organization shall be autonomous and shall be controlled by its own citizens to the extent consistent with the promotion of the welfare and interests of the Commonwealth as a whole and of its member regions. Each district shall adopt rules which are not in conflict with this Constitution.
The Commonwealth may create additional governmental bodies as a growing population requires, in accordance with the provisions for amending this Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII Rules
A Commonwealth Meeting may adopt Rules not inconsistent with this Constitution. Adoption or amendment of Rules by a Commonwealth Meeting shall be by two-thirds vote. A Commonwealth Meeting may amend or repeal Rules adopted by prior Commonwealth Meetings or by the Committee, if the proposed Rules or amendments have been placed on the agenda.
The Committee may adopt Rules not inconsistent with this Constitution and with Rules adopted by Commonwealth Meetings and may amend or repeal its Rules.

ARTICLE IX Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote at two consecutive Commonwealth Meetings if a proposed amendment has been placed on the agenda.

Why “Semiosis?”

Here’s a definition: “Semiosis (from the Greek verb sēmeiô, ‘to mark’) is any form of activity, conduct, or process that involves signs, including the production of meaning; an action or process involving the establishment of a relationship between a sign and its object and meaning.” Semiosis encompasses more than semantics, which focuses on language. It can include both human and nonhuman systems that use chemical, auditory, visual, or tactile signs to pass on information.

That is, Semiosis is about communication.

Why the name “Stevland”?

Stevland took his name from Stevland Jamil Barr, the first to die on the voyage to the planet Pax. Colonists agreed that the planet’s most important life form would be named after him.

Stevland Jamil Barr got his first name from the musician Stevie Wonder, whose full name is Stevland Hardaway Morris.

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